Nomination for Unitarian Society, The

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Renotification/80 Amendments FHR-8-300 (11-78) United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Type all entries-complete applicable sections 1. Name For HCRS use only received DEC 1 1 1980 cate entered MAY 13 1982 historic The Unitarian Society in Fall River and/or common Same 2. Location street & number 309 North Main Street N/not for publication Fall River city, town NAvicinity of Massachusetts 025 code congressional district /0th Bristol state 3.

Classification Category Ownership - district public X building(s) X private _ structure both site Public Acquisition object NA in process being considered county 005 code Status X occupied - unoccupied - work in progress Accessible - yes: restricted X yes: unrestricted _ no Present Use - agriculture commercial educational entertainment government . industrial - military - museum -park - private residence X religious - scientific transportation other: 4. Owner of Property name The Unitarian Society in Fall River street & number 309 North Main Street city, town Fall River NA vicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Registry of Deeds statMassachusetts 02720 441 North Main Street street & number Fall River Massachusetts 02720 city, town state 6.

Representation in Existing Surveys Inventory of the Historical Assets title of the Commonwealth has this property been determined elegible? - yes X no date 1978 federal X state county - local depository for survey records Massachusetts Historical Commission Boston city, town Massachusetts state 7. Description Condition excellent * good _ fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one unaltered X altered Check one original site * moved date 1860 Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

The Unitarian Society of Fall River, founded in 1832, constructed their Gothic Revival style church in 1835 at the southeast corner of Borden and Second Streets. The after- math of Fall River's 1843 fire, which changed the character of the area surrounding the church, resulted in its removal, in numbered pieces, to its present site at 309 North Main Street in 1860. The church of the Unitarian Society in Fall River is wood frame construction with clapboard sheathing. In form it is a simple rectangular block topped by a broad pitched roof and fronted by a square central tower divided horizontally into three stages. In overall design, therefore, the church adheres closely to the New EngLand tradition of colonial meeting house construction which preceeded it. In detail, however, it is Gothic Revival. Double and triple lancet windows.

both in the body of the church and in the tower are capped by Gothic label, or hood, moldings. The corners of the square tower are defined by smaller, engaged polygonal towers topped by crocketted spires. The first stage of the tower contains a slightly recessed center entrance framed by a 4-centered, pointed arch supported on clustered, engaged colônettes. Above this arch a flat label moulding joins with the projecting molded course above it to define the upper limit of the first stage and the base, or sill, of the second stage of the tower. This is occupied by a triple lancet window which rises to a point above the ridge of the church roof. A belfry in which hangs a Paul Revere bell comprises the uppermost stage of the tower. Tripartite louvered panels in each wall of the belfry are Gothic-arched and capped by a flat label molding.

Gothic ornamentation also comprises the base of each panel. The tower is capped by a crenellated parapet above a wooden cornice ornamented with diminutive Gothic arches. The tops and spires of the four corner towers sweep up to a point well above the parapet. Much of the original interior detailing of the Unitarian Society's Fall River church remains in place although some changes were made during the later nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The original pews were, for instance, replaced by the existing ones shortly after the turn of the century. A vestry was built in the previously unfinished basement of the church in 1895.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance Period - prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 * 1700-1799 1800-1899 1900- Areas of Significance-Check and justify below _archeology-prehistoric community planning - archeology-historic conservation * agriculture economics _ architecture education .art engineering . commerce exploration/settlement communications industry invention landscape architecture * law literature _ military - music - philosophy - politics/government _ religion science _ sculpture social/ humanitarian theater transportation other (specify) Specific dates 1835,1860 Builder

Statement of significance

/Architect NA Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) The church of the Unitarian Society in Fall River possesses integrity of location, design, materials, and workmanship, and with its traditional colonial meeting house form overlaid with Gothic Revival detail, is a very good example of the type of church structure which began to be built in New England during the late 1820s. This church, with the others like it, 1ooked both backward and forward stylistically when it was constructed in 1835. ,Said to be a copy of the Pilgrims' Church in Plymouth, Massachusetts (destroyed by fire in the late nineteenth century), the Unitarian Society's meeting house is the oldest church building in Fall River that continues to be occupied by the denomination which erected it.

The Unitarian Society in Fall River was founded in 1832 by people dissatisfied with the narrowness and spiritual orthodoxy of the five churches already existing in the commmity. Many even walked as far as Newport, Rhode Island to hear Dr. William E. Channing speak. Noteworthy among the ministers to the Unitarian Society's Fall River church was the Reverend Samuel Longfellow, brother of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. During his ministry from 1848 to 1851, Longfellow was also chairman of the Fall River School Committee and influential in the establishment of the city's public high school. The Reverend Joshua loung, minister from 1868 to 1875, was known for having preached John Brown's funeral sermon after he was executed at Charlestown, Virginia in 1859.

Some of the great preachers of New England have also spoken from the Unitarian Society pulpit: the Reverend James Freeman Clark; the Reverend Edward Everett Hale; and Harvard's Dr. Samuel Eliot.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

Major Bibliographical References Fuller, Ethel. History of the Unitarian Society of Fall River, 1930. "Historical Reminiscences, "scrapbook of the Unitarian Society of Fall River, compiled 1860-1895. Oral tradition by senior members of the Unitarian Society, 1979. 10. Geographical Data AGNLAGE NÜT VERIFIEO) Acreage of nominated property 18,715 sq. ft. Quadrangle name Fall River UMT References UIM NOT VER'f1agrangle scale- 1:24000 *L119] 3/2107/310 416/119/11710 Zone Easting Northing CLL D LIIL Easting LILL LliLi Northing LILILLL E L F GL1 ILLL H LUL Verbal boundary description and justification Please refer to the attached city engineering map. List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries state NA code county code state code county code 11. Form Prepared By name/title Anne Booth, Consultant, with Reverend Bruno J.

Visco, Unitarian Society in Fall River organization Massachusetts Historical Commission date September 1980 street & number 294 Washington Street telephone 617-727-8470 Boston city or town state Massachusetts 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: _ national state _ local As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89 665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated accordingto the criteria and procedures set fortn oy the heritage Conservation and Recreation Service.

State Historic Preservation Officer signature ateKWeslwski title Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission date 11/19/80 For HCRS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register Nelour Entered in the yeu Keeper of the National Register Nationel Register date 5/13/82 Attest: Chief of Registration date GPO 938 835 for NPS. NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION / RETURN SHEET Property: entaran Arcety," State, County: 4, austa the Federal Agency: resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: Reviewer's comments: 82004958 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Working No. 12:11.80-2964 Fed. Reg. Date: Date Duep/ 28206 115/82 Action: ACCEPT- 5/13/82 Entered in the RETURN.

National Registen - REJECT- photos maps- - sample - request - appeal - NR decision -Nomination returned for: Recom. /Criteria . Reviewer. Discipline. Date _ see continuation sheet - technical corrections cited below -substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification Cetogory Ounership Public Acquieition 4. Owner of Property Mtatus Accessibie Present Use 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys has this property been determined eligible? roo-n 7. Description nitier excellent good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check ene unaitered attered seribe the prosent and eriginal (if inewn) physical a summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection Check one . original site _moved date 8.

Significance Perter rees of Significi Spocifie dater Beatoment ef Signifleanco (in eno paragran -Chook and justify bole ullder Architeet summary paragraph completeness clarity applicable criteria justification of areas checked relating significance to the resource context relationship of integrity to significance justification of exception other 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data Aoreage of nominated property Quedrangle name UNT Roterences Verbel boundery description and justificatien 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: . netional local vatien Officer 13. Other Maps Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Signed Date.

Phone: 202 272 -3504 Comments for any Item may be continued on an attached sheet The Unitarian Societs InFall Rioe. 309 Mo. Maisstreet Pall Riocz Mass.0 2720 Phstogueprer: RichenlHeol. 26 Caroline Aoe. Smnset, MA 02726 6723676- FALL RIVER, MA The Unitarian Society in Fali River Brestol Co- 1980 West elevation Photo by Richard Hood, 1979 Negative with photographer, 26 Caroline Ave, Somerset MA 000 RAHEOD NAME: LOCATION: PHOTO CREDIT: NEGATIVE FILED AT: IDENTIFICATION: photo 1of a Unitarian Church 309 North Main Street Fall River"Mass. 02720 Pamela Shields (1981) Fall River Office of Historic Preservation One Government Center Fall River, Mass. 02722 (PSNR-12-14) Unitarian Church Front View, looking east LNST. 2-14A INITARIAN CHURCH 301 No. MAIN Fall Riio MRA, Ma Unitwin Cherch CARLTON M.

VIVEIROS MAYOR City of Fall Riber, Massachusetts Office Of Historic Preseruation One Couernment Center Fall Biuer, Massachusetts 02722 (617) 675-6011 W. R. Hargraves CO-ORDINATOR RECEIVER Öctóber 16, 1980 OCT 2 01930 MASS. HIST, GOMM; Patricia L. Weslowski State Historic Preservation Officer Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 Dear Pat: This office is in full support of the nomination of the Unitarian Church in Fall River to the National Register. The church group has strived over the years to maintain this structure's majestic integrity - Ihis structure is presently the oldest standing house of worship in the City. The nomination parsentay the oldest of this structure to the National Register is appropriate due to it's architectural and historical properties. Sincerely Yours, Coordinator cc.

Mayor's Office Fall River Historical Commission Historical Society DEC 1 1 1990 City of Fall Riber, Massachusetts Historical Commission One Government Center, Fall River, Ma. 02722 RE October 22, 1980 CO.1380 M/SS. HOT. C0:n Patricia L. Weslowski State Historic Preservation Officer Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 Dear Ms. Weslowski: This letter shall serve to support the nomination to the National Register of the Unitarian Church located in the City of Fall River. The nomination of the Unitarian Church to you from the local Commission is one of the first structures that the Commission officially acted upon and therefore the Commission is more than anxious to see the progess for nomination continued as it has been nearly two years since the Commission's vote.

Therefore, as chairman of the local Commission I urge nomination without reservation. Very truly yours, tukan t 1t. tictrckab lichard P Pierre, Chairman Fall River Historical Commission RPStP: sp DEC 1 1 1980 CJ A CTY 1858) CARLTON M. VIVEIROS MAYOR City of Dall Riber,Massachusetts EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT February 22, 1982 BARBARA E. SULLIVAN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ALAN A. SILVA SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE MAYOR RECEIVED MAR - : 1982 Mrs. Patricia L. Weslowski State Historic Preservation Officer Executive Dir4ctor Massacnusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 MASS. HIST. COMM. Dear Mrs. Weslowski: Ine City of Fall River is pleased that the Unitarian Society's church structure is gaining the recongnition it justly deserves, being the oldest church building in Fall River under continous use.

Placement of this structure in the National Register of Historic Places would help celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the organization of the Unitarian Society in Fall River, (1832-1982). Personally, and speaking for the citizens of Fall River, we whole- heartedly support this nomination. Very truly yours, Ih tSe Alan A. Silva Special Assistant to the Mayor AAS: er cc: The Unitarian Society The Office of Historic Preservation Fall River Historical Commission